HUNDREDS of mourners packed into Durham Cathedral to say a final farewell to one of the country’s leading police firearms experts.

Friends, family and former colleagues came from all over the country for the funeral of PC Chris Barber.

The 51-year-old, who lived on the outskirts of Darlington with his wife Ann, died in the town’s St Teresa’s Hospice after suffering from pancreatic cancer.

PC Barber’s body was taken to the city in a hearse with a police escort and led into the cathedral by two mounted officers from Cleveland Police.

Reverend David Sudron said: “Chris was a good friend to this church.

“Indeed, he was someone in whose debt it stands for the kindness that he showed to it and to its staff.

“It is our privilege to welcome his family and friends and his colleagues to a place that he loved.”

PC Barber was born in Middlesbrough and joined Durham Police in 1984.

He was a firearms officer for most of his career and, more recently, performed duties as force armourer and weapons examiner.

PC Barber was also qualified as an expert witness, providing evidence to the courts, and was sought out for his specialist firearms knowledge by forces around the country.

He was involved in the protection of former prime minister Tony Blair when he was living at his constituency home in Trimdon.

Michael Banks, Assistant Chief Constable of Durham Police, said: “Chris Barber was at the top of his profession when he was taken from us.

“He was a man of many talents and a man admired and loved by many people.”